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Voting Tech

In the United States, elections are a cornerstone of democracy, and technology plays an increasingly vital role in ensuring fair, secure, and efficient electoral processes. Several tech vendors provide products and services that support various aspects of US elections, from voter registration to ballot counting. Here, we'll explore some common tech vendors and the products they offer in support of US elections.

 

 

 

 

ES&S (Election Systems & Software), https://www.essvote.com/:

  • Products: ES&S provides a range of election-related products, including electronic voting machines, ballot scanners, and election management software.
  • Usage: Many US jurisdictions use ES&S voting machines and software for their elections, relying on their technology for tasks such as vote tabulation and results reporting.     
  • Noted Events: Half of the US votes using machines made by ES&S.

Dominion Voting Systems,  https://www.dominionvoting.com/:

  • Products: Dominion offers electronic voting systems, optical scanners, and ballot marking devices, along with software for election management and tabulation.
  • Usage: Dominion's products are used in numerous US states and localities, providing the infrastructure for casting and counting votes in elections.
  • Noted Events: Canadian company became a leader in voting systems after 2010 when the US DOJ forced ES&S (mentioned above) to sell its voting assets. Dominion purchased Sequoia Voting Systems in 2010 from Smartmatic (mentioned below)

Hart InterCivic,  https://www.hartintercivic.com/:

  • Products: Hart InterCivic provides a variety of election solutions, including voting machines, ballot scanners, and software for voter registration and election management.
  • Usage: Hart InterCivic's products are used in several states, with its technology playing a role in voter registration, ballot processing, and vote counting.
  • Noted Events:  Entered election in 1912 printing ballots. Sued by employee for not disclosing inaccuracies in voting system.

VR Systems, https://www.vrsystems.com/:

  • Products: VR Systems specializes in voter registration software and electronic poll books, which are used to check in voters at polling places.
  • Usage: VR Systems' software is utilized in various states to manage voter registration data and streamline the check-in process on Election Day.
  • Noted Events: Employee Owned. All counties in Florida use their systems. In 2016 The FBI sent out an alert that the VR Systems may have been compromised by hackers.

Smartmatic, https://www.smartmatic.com:

  • Products: Smartmatic offers electronic voting machines, voting kiosks, and software for election management and results reporting.
  • Usage: While Smartmatic's products are used in elections around the world, they have been utilized in some US jurisdictions for voting and election administration.
  • Noted Events: Venezuela company entered the US market in 2000 after purchasing Sequoia Voting Systems.  In 2023 Smartmatic Sued Fox News for defamation after Fox reported on alleged interference by Smartmatic in the 2020 US elections.

Scytl, https://scytl.com/:

  • Products: Scytl provides online voting and election modernization solutions, including secure online voting platforms and election result reporting tools.
  • Usage: Some US jurisdictions have used Scytl's technology for online voting in certain elections, though its use is not as widespread as other vendors.
  • Noted Events: Spanish company providing voting systems. Entered the US market in 2012 after the purchase of SOE Software.

Clear Ballot, https://www.clearballot.com/:

  • Products: Clear Ballot offers a digital scanning system for paper ballots, along with software for ballot verification and tabulation.
  • Usage: Clear Ballot's technology is used in several US states to scan and process paper ballots, providing an additional layer of verification in the vote tabulation process.
  • Noted Events: Unknown.

 

Tech vendors play a crucial role in supporting US elections by providing products and services that ensure the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process. From electronic voting machines to voter registration software, these vendors help to modernize and secure elections, ensuring that every vote is counted accurately.

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